Phantom of the State House

A top House lawmaker was tending to “personal business” in sunny St. Croix on Tuesday when he was mysteriously recorded voting on seven key budget measures, the Herald has learned – a blatant violation that harks back to the phantom voting scandal a decade ago.

State Rep. Charles Murphy (D-Burlington) acknowledged he was in the Virgin Islands, not in the House chamber, when the phantom votes were cast on his behalf.

House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, who is responsible for ensuring House rules are observed, quickly denounced the phantom voting violation involving Murphy after being contacted by the Herald late yesterday.